Tag Archives: Solar panel launch

On Wednesday 26 July 2017, the Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, Hon. Kornelia Shilunga on behalf of the Hon. Obeth Kandjoze, officially launched the United Nations (UN) House solar panels on Wednesday, 26 July 2017 alongside the City of Windhoek (CoW) and the UN System in Namibia (UN Namibia). The UN House, located in Klein Windhoek, is where UN Namibia offices are located.

As Namibia receives a high amount of sunlight, the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) to Namibia, Kiki Gbeho emphasized that the UN’s move towards using solar energy is an opportunity to showcase best practice, in terms of the use of renewable energy in support of Namibian, and global efforts, to combat climate change.

The recently agreed Sustainable Development Agenda, identifies clean energy as an integral part of the global strategy to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.

“Specifically, Goal 13 of the 17 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) speaks to Climate Change, while Goal 7, aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all,” Gbeho said.

Since the installation in the beginning of May, power usage at the UN House has decreased by approximately 50%, which in monetary terms translates to a total savings of roughly N$ 60,000 per month.

If the current savings trend continues, coupled with the current effort to monitor power usage around the office, UN Namibia forecasts savings of at least 60% in the next few months going forward. This, over time, will result in a large amount of monetary savings that can be implemented into programmatic work as opposed to operational costs.

On behalf of Hon. Kandjoze, Hon. Shilunga highlighted Namibia’s great potential in renewable energy, specifically solar power, with its abundance of land, an average of 300 sunny days per year and the second highest solar irradiation regime in the world. Continue reading →